The Honorable Kristen C. Umstattd Mayor, Town of Leesburg kicked-off the six day-five night Bible Reading Marathon on Saturday, April 28 at 1 p.m. with a reading from Genesis 1. Later Mayor Umstattd said, "The reading of the Bible in Leesburg is a blessing to our town and I am deeply grateful to those who organize the Bible Reading Marathon and to those who read the passages, one after another." Photo courtesy/ Nancy Gunderman

All the people assembled as one man at the square…He (Erza) read from early morning until midday and all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law (Nehemiah 8:1-3).

Loudoun Awakening 2012 Celebrates Fifth Annual Bible Reading Marathon

A mighty, spirit-filled and anointed week in Loudoun County

The 2012 Bible Reading Marathon (BRM) Judeo-Christian opening worship program commenced Saturday April 28 at noon on the steps of the old Leesburg Courthouse. About sixty people attended the opening ceremony in unseasonably chilly weather with light rain in the forecast. The program then moved over to the Loudoun Awakening tent positioned on North King Street on the patio adjacent to the law library to begin a public reading of the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

The Honorable Kristen C. Umstattd Mayor, Town of Leesburg set the stage for a mighty, spirit-filled and anointed week in Loudoun County. Mayor Umstattd kicked-off the six day and five night event with a reading from Genesis 1. Later in an email to the BRM organizer's, Umstattd wrote, "Helping to read the Word of God is a blessing to all of us who are able to participate. On a personal level, two small miracles have always accompanied this event every year: whatever passage I've been given to read has had a surprisingly deep personal meaning for me at that particular time, as if the Lord had selected the passage for the reader and the reader for the passage; and, to my continuing surprise, even when the Biblical print is smaller than any I could normally read with ease, it has always been completely legible as I have read it. I have experienced these two small miracles each and every year during the Bible Reading Marathon, but, even so, they continue to amaze me. When we think about all the sacrifices that Jesus made for us, it is such a small thing to publicly acknowledge and honor Him. I hope we are making Him feel at home in our town as we read His Father's Word."

The one hour opening ceremony facilitated by Patricia Phillips, included a Presentation of the Flag by Boy Scout Troop 1550, the National Anthem by Passionate Patriots, Invocation by Rev. Jack Grubbs, Potomac Falls Anglican Church, Opening Remarks from Bishop Treadwell, The Living Word of Jesus Christ (Leesburg) and Ken Reid, Leesburg District County Supervisor, provided the ‘Hebrew Blessing’ and explained to the audience the purpose and history of the ‘blessing’.

The first two hours of the Bible Reading included elected officials, Randy Minchew, Delegate 10th House District, Tom Reed, Loudoun County School Board, Bob Wertz, Commissioner of the Revenue, Jill Turgeon, Loudoun County School Board, Eugene Delgaudio, Sterling Supervisor and Dave Ramadan, Delegate 87th House District.

The BRM organizer's are seeking people to participate by signing up in advance to read. Ideally, we would like for each church, synagogue, civic organization, Bible study group, choir, prayer group and youth group to fill an hour block of time by providing four or more readers (15 minutes each). For more information or to sign up to read, visit http://www.loudounawakening.org.

Did anyone aactully witness Joy being pushed? Maybe she fell in. D. was framed!! Exonerate D.!!I think that Russell is out there somewhere being puzzled by my couples comment, but is too nice to say anything. A couple of what? (Signs, people, beers ?)The rumors are true, I’m a dork.Hi Eileen, miss you too!

Thank you! I hope they and others will let the soochl system know what a mistake this was. I saw the show Friday night and it was truly excellent. The soochls had an opportunity handed to them to reach 20,000 students with a very empowering and sophisticated message, and they dropped the ball. They really let the kids down (again), and it’s becoming tiresome.

Comments express only the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of this website or any associated person or entity. Any user who believes a message is objectionable can contact us at moderator@timespapers.com.

Post a comment

Commenting is not available in this channel entry.

Email UPDATES

Tuesdays:
Thursdays:

As Seen IN PRINT

The Loudoun Times-Mirroris an interactive, digital replicaof the printed newspaper.